Biography:
Tomyris, also known as Thomyris, Tomris, or Tomiride, was a queen who reigned over the Massagetae, an Iranian Saka people of Central Asia. She is best known for leading her armies to defend against an attack by Cyrus the Great of the Achaemenid Empire and defeating and killing him in 530 BC. Tomyris’s story is a tale of courage, determination, and the desire to protect her people.
Tomyris was the widowed wife of the king of the Massagetae, whom she succeeded as the queen of the tribe after his death. When Cyrus of the Persian Achaemenid Empire proposed marriage to her in order to acquire her kingdom, Tomyris understood his true intentions and rejected his proposal. Cyrus, on the advice of the Lydian king Croesus, decided to invade the Massagetae as a result of Tomyris’s rejection.
In an attempt to conquer the Massagetae, Cyrus started building a bridge on the Araxes river. Sensing the impending threat, Tomyris advised him to be content with ruling his own kingdom and allow her to rule hers. However, Cyrus dismissed her warning and initiated an attack. The Massagetae, led by Tomyris’s son and their army commander, Spargapises, were initially defeated due to their unfamiliarity with wine, which had been supplied in large quantities by Cyrus. Spargapises, captured by Cyrus, later killed himself once he realized the gravity of the situation.
Upon learning of the death of her son and the destruction of her army, Tomyris sent a furious message to Cyrus, condemning the wine, which had caused the downfall of her people, as a drug that made men mad. She swore to give Cyrus more blood to drink than he could ever imagine if he refused to leave her land. Tomyris’s determination, fierce spirit, and fierce love for her people were evident in her words.
Tomyris herself led the Massagetaean army into battle against the Persians. In the ensuing battle, Tomyris and her forces emerged victorious, inflicting heavy losses on the Persians. It was during this battle that Cyrus himself was killed. Tomyris’s leadership and military skill were instrumental in securing the triumph of her people and avenging the loss of her son.
Tomyris’s victory over Cyrus is a testament to her strength and determination to protect her people. Her courage in the face of adversity, her strategical brilliance, and her dedication to her kingdom made her a revered figure in ancient history. Tomyris’s story serves as an inspiration to women leaders throughout the ages, highlighting the power and resilience of female rulers.